Ivan Toney says the Saudi Pro League is ‘on par’ with the Premier League as he hits back at criticism on the standard of football.
The 29 year old defends his move to the Saudi Pro League, asserting it’s on par with the Premier League in quality, citing Al-Hilal’s victory over Manchester City as evidence.
He dismisses criticism, saying that it’s his personal choice and happiness, and highlights adapting to the league’s unique challenges, like intense heat.
Toney, the second-top scorer in his debut season, aims to lead the scoring charts this year and remains focused on performing well for Al-Ahli, believing it could earn him an England call-up, though he’s content supporting the team if not selected.
He doesn’t miss the Premier League but praises Brentford and coach Thomas Frank, predicting a strong season for them. Toney recommends the Saudi League to other players, noting growing interest.
Ivan Toney 🗣️
“For me, the Saudi Pro League is on a par with the Premier League. If Al-Ahli were in the Premier League, we’d give it a good go and we’d be close to the top four. It is a quality league and people should not turn their noses up.”
(John Duerden – The Guardian) pic.twitter.com/07hEtZMrDP
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 10, 2025
Ivan Toney said, per the Guardian: “Those that know me, know that I do what I want to do. If there is something that I want to go for, to try, then I will do it. If people want to talk, they can talk. It doesn’t hurt me, doesn’t bother me, I just concentrate on myself. I do what makes me happy.
“The weather played a massive part. Somebody should go and try to play in a sauna and see if they can cope. You have to play a different game with different tactics and it is something you adapt to. There are different blocks of 20 minutes where it is intense and then naturally it has to slow down and pick up again.
“Once I got going, the goals came. I felt like I could have scored a lot more, but even so I finished as the second-top scorer in the league in my first season somewhere that is completely new to me. I feel like it is an achievement. This season, I am hoping to take first spot and hopefully that will help the team and win games and get where we need to be.
“It’s different, but you are there for one thing: to get three points and take them home. The fire is within yourself and the changing room. It doesn’t matter if there are 10 people watching, 10,000 or 20,000. It’s on the players to go and win.
“Ronaldo has been around the world and probably knows a lot more than me as I have only played in the Premier League, the Championship and Leagues One and Two. For me, [the Pro League] is on a par with the Premier League. If [Al-Ahli] were in the Premier League, we’d give it a good go and we’d be close to the top four. It is a quality league and people should not turn their noses up. We saw Al-Hilal play against Man City and beat them.”
“I was going to tweet but I would have got killed back home, so I kept my mouth shut. But people saw the quality of Hilal. The standard in Saudi Arabia is high. They can play football here. The players here are not as known as in the Premier League but there are many who can play there.”
On his chances of being in the England team: “I have to concentrate on myself and give myself the best chance possible, and who knows? If I am selected, I will do my best for my country but if not, I’ll be cheering the boys on.”
“I don’t expect to have a conversation with him [Tuchel]. I am sure he has other things to be concentrating on. My job is to do well. It is what it is. If you are good enough, you are good enough; it doesn’t matter where you are playing in the world. As long as you are doing the right things and scoring goals, then you give yourself a chance.”
Toney adds that he doesn’t miss the Premier League but does keep a look out for Brentford.
On Brentford and life without Thomas Frank: “One of the best coaches I have worked with. They’ve always had that hard-work mentality,.
“They have never had big names and every player who comes in works hard for each other. I believe they’ll be good this season.”
Back onto football in Saudi Arabia: “People are intrigued. Some players have been offered a chance to play over here and want to know what it is about. I would recommend it, if they feel it is right for them.”
Fans reacted after Ivan Toney says the Saudi Pro League is ‘on par’ with Premier League as he hits back at criticism…
@HarrySmith1502: You should be fined a weeks wages for saying things as stupid as this imo
@KierDoyle: You wanna bet on it?
@BornSpursy: Its similar to the Rangers/Celtic argument whereas they would maybe compete long term through size, the top few in Saudi could compete through financial backing but the league as a whole is a crazy statement, most games average less than 5k attendance
@ToonMemeMachine: A one-off payment of £1m has been deposited into Toneys account from PIF 5 minutes after he said this
@robertmark1976: Ivan Toney should be drug tested immediately, he’s smoking some serious sh*t out there #PremierLeague
@JamieTHFC__: Toneys been smoking some serious stuff
@Jay_Star1892: Wrong. The Premier League is miles ahead of other leagues, even the Saudi League. Teams like Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal or any other club would not stand a chance of finishing top 6, and will probably finish bottom table or worse, relegated.
@MarkFlatley: I’ve been in work since 5am, it’s been a long day. Are my eyes working? 🤨🤣
@MerciWenger: By Ivan Toney’s logic, League Two is on a par with the Premier League because Grimsby knocked out Man Utd in the FA Cup. The Saudi Pro League gives bonuses to these imports that they already overpay, to hype it up and not disparage it. It’s a trash league, hence the imports.
@WPacey_89: How much they pay him to say this? 😂
@aroundgroundsss: Ok Ivan ok mate 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@Villa4LifeAlex: They get paid additionally for putting out positive tweets about the league. So frankly, fuck off for being part of their sports washing nonsense!
@JackLambert18: How much of a bonus was he paid to say this? 🤡
@WHUCharlie_: It’s genuinely mental how just throwing money at people will make them come out with the most statements you’ve ever heard
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